Birmingham City are facing a pivotal January transfer window as manager Chris Davies aims to reshape his squad for a Championship promotion push.
The Scale of the Task at St Andrew's
The challenge awaiting Birmingham City in the upcoming transfer period is significant. With just eight points separating third-placed Preston North End and 16th-placed West Bromwich Albion, the race for the play-offs remains wide open. This makes the January market absolutely critical for Blues to address shortcomings from a summer that brought twelve new faces to the club.
The fact that only five of those summer signings started the recent match against Charlton Athletic highlights that several have not met expectations. A squad reshuffle is now essential to provide Davies with the tools required for a strong finish to the season.
Addressing the Loan Situation
First on the agenda for Davies and director of football Craig Gardner is resolving two loan deals that have not worked out as planned. The manager has been candid about the futures of Eiran Cashin and Lewis Koumas, both of whom have seen limited action.
Cashin, a £9 million asset from Brighton, is unlikely to remain on the bench for another five months. Koumas, borrowed from Liverpool, has featured in games but accumulated few minutes, making a recall and redistribution a possibility. If both depart, Birmingham would regain valuable flexibility in the loan market, where Championship rules permit only five loan players in a matchday squad.
Potential Departures and Squad Reshuffle
Several players could be heading for the exit. Striker Lyndon Dykes is a prime candidate, having started just two league games. Davies has admitted he would not obstruct a move if Dykes seeks regular football ahead of Scotland's World Cup campaign.
Elsewhere, full-back Alfons Sampsted may see more action while Bright Osayi-Samuel is at the Africa Cup of Nations, but his opportunities could shrink again in the New Year. Japanese playmaker Kanya Fujimoto appears to have no route into the team, even in the number 10 role where Blues lack options, and will likely seek an exit.
Key Areas for Reinforcement
The spine of the team requires urgent attention. Cashin's probable return would allow Birmingham to target a new centre-back, ideally a left-footed starter to partner Christoph Klarer and compete with Phil Neumann.
The midfield also needs bolstering. If Tomoki Iwata continues at right-back, a more physical presence is required alongside technicians Tommy Doyle and Paik Seung-ho, especially for tough away fixtures.
Finally, a new forward is a necessity. Dykes' potential departure would simplify matters, but regardless, another attacking option is needed. Davies could sign a number 10 to release Jay Stansfield as a central striker, or recruit a striker directly.
Other situations may develop, including the fitness of Lee Buchanan at left-back, a potential replacement for Koumas, and the game time of midfielder Marc Leonard. One thing is clear: Birmingham City are set for a busy January on both the incoming and outgoing fronts as they gear up for the second half of the season.
